If a single light hits a cube, it will make a square shape – if a single light hits a sphere, an ellipse shape. Later in the day when the sun is very low, it will make a longer more interesting shadow shape, usually more representative of the essence of the tree and the presence of light. So if bright, high sunshine hits a tree directly from above, it makes a short shadow shape, that doesn’t necessarily help you as an artist to describe the subject. The shadows that are made by the light are always in a direct response to whatever the light hits, whatever angle the light is coming from and the intensity of the light source. The principles we’ll look at on the sphere, can be applied to the curve of a cheek, the fullness of a teapot or vase and I’ll be putting them into practice on a drawing of an apple next week. The cone, the cube, the cylinder and the sphere. Learning simple form principles will enable you to see the fundamental shapes of which all of nature is comprised. So for this 3 Part Series, we’ll be looking at single lighting set ups demonstrating the theory of form on a sphere. It could be the sun, a light through a window or an artificial light.Ī hard light clearly demonstrates each distinct area to be aware of, exaggerating the widest tonal range and when you’re a beginner it’s the simplest way to see the difference between the tones. So I’ve found the easiest way to learn about light and shadow is by using one hard, single light. Sketching really helps you to keep your eye practiced and your creativity flowing and I do it every day.īut when I want to work up one of my sketches into a more developed drawing, I would have a more conscious approach to the lighting setup, composition and design of the piece.Ĭreating the illusion of form using multiple light sources is difficult because the effect of the light falling on an object is more confused, softer and introduces new shapes that don’t behave consistently with the object we’re looking at. Now I’m the first one to be drawn to my sketchpad whilst enjoying a brew in my lounge, but note the word ‘sketch’. To make something look three dimensional, you need the light to do the work for you – rather than your pencil. Just by the nature of the lighting setup we have in our homes, it makes it really difficult to achieve a dramatic drawing successfully. There’s multiple lights coming from above, window lights and maybe lights from a t.v or reading light. The problem is most of the time at home, you don’t have one single light source, you have a comfy chair, a cup of tea and 10 minutes to sketch your dog. You might find it isn’t your drawing technique that’s wrong, but your lighting… How does light behave when it hits a form?
SHADING DRAWING FOR BEGINNERS SERIES
In Part 1 of this 3 Part series ( Part 2 – Drawing shading demonstration) we look at the theory, the drawing and then paint a simple form focusing on shadow, light and edges. The theory seems simple and the changes in technique small, but applying the principles of how tone, light and shade work, will improve the illusion of form in every drawing you do – regardless of the subject.Īnd the exciting part about it is, once you ‘get’ lighting, the principles never change. If line drawing creates the proportions, handling of tone creates the form.
Whilst these all play an integral part, the most effective method of making your drawings appear three dimensional, is understanding how light logic works. Is it the proportions? The perspective? Perhaps the composition?
Cezanne, Oil on Canvas, still life with seven apples, 1878Įver felt frustrated having worked so hard on a drawing – only to find it still looks ‘flat’?
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